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A very brief introduction to shore
zone ecology
Stuart Findlay and David Strayer
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Outline
1. Why is shore zone ecology worth managing?
2. How can shore zones best be managed for
ecological benefits?
3. What resources are available about the ecology
of Hudson River shore zones?
(I wont be talking about human uses of shore
zones that are linked to their ecology angling,
bird-watching, etc.)
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Part 1: Why is shore zone ecology
worth managing?
http://www.springerlink.com/content/147526m7134jnt48/
The shore zone
the region closely adjoining the shoreline in which strong and direct
interactions tightly link the terrestrial ecosystem to the aquatic ecosystem
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Human alterations of the shore zone
Half of the worlds population lives in or near
shore zones
Humans have vastly changed shore zones
About half of the Hudsons shores have been
engineered
Usually done without considering the
ecological consequences
This attitude seems to be changing
Were trying to be part of this change
Species introductions
Overuse Pollution
1820 today
Hardening, narrowing, steepening
Tidying
Stabilizing, shortening, simplifying
Building
Changed energy
inputs
and changed hydrology
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Shore zones are biodiverse
Shore zones are ecological hot spots
Produce and capture food
Capture and process pollutants
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Shore zones are
highways for
animals and plants
Along the river on the land
Along the river in the water
Blocks and funnels movement
perpendicular to the river
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Shore zones can protect infrastructure
Floodplains reduce power
and height of floodwaters and
reduce damage downriver
Vegetation and natural
structures reduce damage
from waves and ice
What determines the ecological
functioning of shore zones?
Physical diversity (including
structure provided by plants)
Slope
Width
Connectivity
Physical energy
The kinds of plants and animals
Climate
Hydrology
Amount and kind of human
activity
Pollution
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Part 2: A few ideas to improve the
ecological functioning of shore zones
Preserve physical diversity
Resist tidiness
Dont squeeze the shore zone!
Give the shore zone room to move
Provide dispersal corridors
Tread lightly
Prevent pollution
Dont make it so hard!
Reduce wave damage
Be careful about building in the shore zone
Encourage physical and ecological diversity
Dont grade evenly; leave swales, puddles, and ridges
Use rough and varied materials for shore defenses
Make shorelines sinuous or pocketed in birds eye view
When landscaping, use a variety of plant species (native
species, if possible) and growth forms (trees, shrubs)
Include as much vegetation as possible, on both land and
water side, for multiple benefits
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Resist tidiness
Leave driftwood and wrack (ok to remove trash)
Leave brush and shrubs
Dont mow to the waters edge (preserve a buffer strip
10-100 feet wide of unmowed vegetation)
Leave standing dead trees and woody debris
Dont clear aquatic vegetation unless absolutely
necessary
Dont squeeze the shore zone
Avoid filling (land) or deepening (water) to preserve
transitional zone
If the site is going to be disturbed, consider grading banks
to reduce steepness
Plan for changing water levels (a vegetated buffer helps)
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Prevent pollution
Minimize use of road salt and fertilizer, which can easily run off
into the water
Minimize use of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, many
of which arent supposed to be used near water
Dont store salt, fuel, pesticides, or other harmful substances
in the shore zone
Manage surface runoff/drainage water so that you dont start
erosion in the shore zone or along the shoreline
Minimize disturbance of soils and sediments
Reduce wave damage
Post and enforce no-wake zones
Avoid shoreline hardening that can reflect wave energy
Consider placing rock sills in front of soft shorelines
A well vegetated shoreline may protect the area behind it
from waves and currents during floods
Regularly inspect and maintain structures and vegetation
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Tread lightly in the shore zone
Use paths, plantings, and signs to direct visitors away from the
most sensitive areas
Use boardwalks to prevent trampling
Keep livestock out of shore zone
Limit number of shoreline access points
Dont run paths directly up and down slopes
Maintain connectivity (no dead ends)
Minimize use of curbs along roads
Avoid building continuous smooth, steep walls (use lower
grades, rougher surfaces, and cuts to allow animal passage)
Minimize large gaps in the band of vegetation running
along the shore
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Dont make it so hard! (Use softer
treatments where possible)
Choose the softest treatment that will get the job done
Use natural materials for shore protection where possible
Use slopes (like revetments) instead of vertical walls
Part 3: Tools for understanding the
ecology of the Hudsons shore zones
You probably will have to visit the site
Tools are available that provide useful information
Youll get hands-on experience with some of these tools later
today
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SAV and Wetlands Inventory
BEDROCK
OTHER
MUDSAND
SHORELINE INVENTORY
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Listed (protected) species
Information about whether protected species are known at or around a
project site is available from http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/31181.html
Takes 2-4 weeks to get a reply
Rapid Assessment
Measures predictors and
key attributes
Largely applied to shores with
human use
Usable with brief training
Citizen science engagement